Wholesale: Products & Services

Product Catalog (PCAT)

Commercial Shared Distribution Loop (SDL) - V16.0

Product Description

Commercial Shared Distribution Loop (SDL) replaces the Interconnection
Shared Distribution Loop (SDL) product which is no longer available
for new service requests after October 2, 2004 pursuant to the Federal
Communications Commission's (FCC's) Triennial Review Order.

Commercial SDL provides you with the opportunity to offer advanced
data services on the distribution portion of a loop simultaneously
with an end-user's existing analog voice grade service (also known
as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)), which is provided by CenturyLink.

The Sharing of the POTS loop is accomplished by utilizing the high
frequency range above the voice band range on the distribution portion
of the copper loop. There may only be one Data Local Exchange Carrier
(DLEC) at any given time that provides advanced data service on
any given distribution loop. The voice circuit must originate at
the CenturyLink Central Office (CO) and terminate at the Network
Interface Device (NID) at the customer location. The data portion
of the circuit originates at your Remote
Collocation or a Field Connection
Point (FCP), which has been established at a technically feasible
distribution interface point within the local loop.

You are required to gain access to the Commercial SDL through an
established technically feasible interface point at a Field Distribution
Interface (FDI)/ Serving Area Interface (SAI) by establishing a
Remote Collocation or a FCP.

You must also have a Digital Subscriber Line Multiplexer (DSLAM)
and a Splitter installed at your Remote Collocation or FCP Terminations
that have been established specifically for SDL may also be used
for Commercial SDL, but must be established before placing the Commercial
SDL request. The end-user must have dial tone originating from a
CenturyLink switch in the Serving Wire Center. You must provide the end-user
with, and are responsible for, the installation of any equipment
necessary for the end-user to receive separate voice and data service
across the copper loop.

Other alternatives for providing data services:

Line Splitting
is available with compatible commercial local exchange services
products (e.g. CenturyLink Local Service Platform (CLSP)).

Commercial Line Sharing provides you with the ability to order
new commercial line shared service from your CO collocation. See
Commercial Line
Sharing

Loop Splitting provides combined voice and data services on
the same facility. See Loop
Splitting

Stand-alone Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) data services.

Product Diagram

Availability

Commercial SDL is available where facilities exist throughout CenturyLink QC and where existing compatible
facilities are available. Commercial Shared Distribution Loop is not available on Fiber To The Building (FTTB) or Fiber To The Premise (FTTP) facilities.

Prior to requesting Commercial SDL, you must also have an amendment
with provisions for Commercial SDL in your Interconnection Agreement.
You must also sign a separate SDL Commercial Agreement. If you would
like to initiate the process for obtaining these agreements, see
the Wholesale Interconnection
Agreements & Amendments web site.

Terms and Conditions

You must have a Remote
Collocation or FCP installed
to access the distribution portion of the loop. You must provide
and own the Splitter as well as terminations established specifically
for Commercial SDL. All must be in place prior to submitting service
requests for Commercial SDL.

You are responsible for the additional structure including but
not limited to your Remote Collocation and FCP. The electronics
and the cables between the structure and the Remote Collocation
or FCP are your responsibility. You are also responsible for repair
and maintenance of the splitter.

You must provide the end-user with, and are responsible for, the
installation of a splitter/filter(s) and other equipment necessary
at the end-user's premise for the end-user to receive separate voice
and data service across a single copper loop.

For Commercial SDL, there may only be one DLEC at any given time
that provides advanced data service on any given distribution loop.

The Splitter and DSLAM must comply with American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) T1.413 Annex E and must meet CenturyLink's Collocation
equipment guidelines.

Pricing

Rate Structure

Two Interconnection Tie Pairs (2 ITPs), 1 for voice and 1 for
combined voice/data, per connection

Nonrecurring charges for Commercial SDL may consist of the following:

Any additional testing performed by CenturyLink after trouble has
been isolated to the portion of the network for which you are
responsible

Installation charge, per loop

Loop Conditioning charge

For any elements/charges associated with the construction of the
Remote Collocation or the FCP, see the Remote
Collocation or the FCP.

Additional rate structure information can be found in your Interconnection
Agreement.

Recurring charges bill on a month-to-month basis; term contracts
are not available.

One-month minimum billing, contract termination liability and associated
contract charges for the product from which the service is being
converted will apply.

Rates

Wholesale rates for this product or service, including tariff references
and any applicable discounts, are provided in your current Interconnection,
Resale, Commercial, or other governing agreement. Regulations
and Policies

CenturyLink must provide the end-user's POTS. If the end-user disconnects
their POTS with CenturyLink, the data portion of the loop will also be
disconnected. This information will be reflected in the Loss and
Completion Report. Information regarding Loss and Completion Reports
is described in the Provisioning
and Installation Overview.

Features/Benefits

Features

Benefits

Provides data and voice on the same copper distribution loop.

Enables you to offer data services quickly and affordably,
without the cost of separate unbundled loops or new facilities
even when an end-user is served by Digital Loop Carrier facilities.
Enables end-users to receive data over the high frequency portion
of their existing line and eliminates the need to invest in
an additional line.

Provides service in rapidly-growing areas, including those
where there may be a shortage of facilities.

Applications

The following are examples of how Commercial SDL could be offered:

XYZ Carrier is offering a competitive DSL service and is contacted
by an interested small business owner who does not want to purchase
another line specifically for data. The owner seems ready to request
the service, but is informed that he is served on Digital Loop
Carrier facilities. XYZ Carrier's Customer Service Representative
learns that the small business currently has voice service from
CenturyLink. This small business is also served out of a remote terminal
where XYZ Carrier has a Remote Collocation with Splitters and
DSLAMs installed. The carrier does a loop qualification and finds
that its DSL service, which is acceptable for Commercial SDL,
can be added to the business' existing line. The owner's objection
to installing a second line is overcome as need for a second line
is negated because it is no longer required. XYZ Carrier gains
a new DSL service customer.

A consumer contacts ABC Telecom about obtaining its data service.
But the company learns that there are no spare facilities running
to this individual's location and they are served on Digital Loop
Carrier facilities. ABC finds the consumer has voice service from
CenturyLink and determines that ABC Telecom has Splitters installed
at the remote terminal serving the customer. ABC Telecom performs
a loop qualification and determines that its data service, which
is acceptable for Commercial SDL, can be added to the individual's
existing voice line. When CenturyLink and ABC Telecom have completed
provisioning and installation, the consumer is able to obtain
data service-even though there were no spare facilities available.

Implementation

Product Prerequisites

Prior to requesting Commercial SDL, you must have an amendment
with provisions for Commercial SDL in your Interconnection Agreement.
You must also sign a separate SDL Commercial Agreement. If you do
not have an amendment and would like to initiate the process for
an amendment, see Wholesale
Interconnection Agreement and Amendments.

Pre-Ordering

CenturyLink recommends use of Pre-Ordering functionality to assist in
achieving increased service request flow through and accuracy that
will result in reduced service request rejects.

The loop qualification query should be used prior to submitting
a service request. Use of these queries can greatly reduce service
request rejects by ensuring the types of facilities requested are
available prior to placing a service request. The queries will enable
you to verify the type of facility and the physical characteristics
of the facility. Based on the physical characteristics you can determine
if the facility needs to be conditioned, i.e., the removal of load
coils or bridged tap, which will assist you in identifying the appropriate
service request intervals, described in the Service
Interval Guide (SIG) for Resale and Interconnection Services.
Some of these queries are available in IMA and others are web-based.
The queries are available for you to access the physical characteristics
of the CenturyLink loop facility and are based on data obtained from CenturyLink's
underlying network records. This is the same underlying data that
CenturyLink utilizes for its retail product offerings.

The following applies to the loop qualification queries:

The queries are for informational purposes only and do not restrict
or imply that your service will or will not work on a given facility.
This determination is your responsibility.

Some of the queries offered include CenturyLink's evaluation of the
recorded and calculated loop characteristic information.

As mentioned, the physical characteristics provided are based
on CenturyLink's plant facility database. If you encounter any inaccuracies
in the information, contact your CenturyLink Service Manager.

The data provided to you at the time you perform a query may
be refreshed on a periodic basis and could change by the time
you submit your service request.

IMA queries are:

ADSL Qualification

Loop Qualification

Raw Loop Data (RLD)

Web based queries is:

Wire Center RLD

The Wire Center RLD provides wire center specific information.
This query provides the physical characteristics of the facilities
for an entire wire center. The wire center raw loop data is presented
as a comma delimited file and needs to be downloaded into a database
or spreadsheet to analyze the individual facilities. Contact your
CenturyLink Service Manager to request an ID, which will be required to
obtain the digital certificate, required to access this query. You
will need to provide the names and telephone numbers of your employees
that will be accessing the query. After your CenturyLink Service Manager
has notified you that the necessary access permissions have been
established, and provided you with your ID you may then initiate
the digital certification process.

The ADSL Qualification Query can be accessed via IMA to pre-qualify
the requested facility, inquiring against the existing telephone
number or service address. This query provides some basic physical
characteristics of the facility and provides you information, which
allows you to determine if the facility qualifies for a Commercial
SDL. If the end-user's telephone number is a Port-Within telephone
number also known as a Location Ported telephone number, you must
use the address to perform a loop qualification. Information regarding
the Loop Qualification query is described in the IMA
User's Guide.

The Basic Installation option is available for Commercial SDL.
For an existing end-user, the Basic Installation option is the 'lift
and lay' procedure. The CenturyLink technician 'lifts' the loop from its
current termination and 'lays' it on a new termination connecting
to the CLEC. Test results are not provided to the CLEC.

The limitations when requesting multiple lines for Commercial SDL
on a single service request are as follows:

CenturyLink will accept multiple Commercial SDL requests on a single
service request if the telephone numbers are associated with the
same Customer Service Record (CSR). When you submit a service
request requesting Commercial SDL for multiple telephone numbers
from the same CSR, the quantity on the LQTY field on the LS form
of the service request must be equal to the number of lines to
which Commercial SDL is being added.

Quantities equal to or greater than 25 are considered a project.
Projects.

Commercial SDL service requests are submitted using the Local Service
Ordering Guidelines (LSOG) forms. Detailed information describing
field entry requirements are available on the LSOG.
Commercial SDL service requests are placed using the following LSOG
forms:

Local Service Request (LSR)

End User (EU)

Loop Services (LS)

Valid LSR ACT type is a 'C' for Change (existing POTS account);
the valid REQTYP on the LSR is 'AB'. Some of the more common information
required on the LSR include:

Valid NC and NCI Code

Desired Due Date

Contact Information

Some of the more common information required on the LS include:

End-user telephone number to be shared

Splitter information

Valid LNA field types on the LS are:

D = Disconnect

M = Inside Move

N = New Installation

V = Conversion As Specified

You will need the following information on your service request:

Form(s)

Field

Populate with this Information

LS

POTSSPLITTER LOC

R" (for remote)

LS

LINE SHARED TN

End-user's telephone number to be shared

EU, LS, LSR

REMARKS

The DSLAM and cable and the pair, (e.g. DSL3743EAT, PR 0001).

EU, LS, LSR

MANUAL IND

"Y"

An Alternate Point of Termination (APOT) form is provided to you
as part of the Remote
Collocation or FCP hand-off
process. The splitter meet points for the Commercial SDL are identified
on the APOT form. Information contained on the APOT form is required
on all Commercial SDL requests.

The following table provides an example of format used to identify
the splitter location.

Character Field Location

Field Entry *

Characters 1 through 3

vda

Characters 4 through 8

Cable Pair

Characters 9 through 11

Voice Pair

* vda.ALT06.201 is an example of the format.

You can request conditioning on the loop. If your loop requires conditioning, CenturyLink will perform the requested conditioning on the loop to remove load coils and excessive bridged taps. Charges for removal of load coils and excessive bridged taps on SDL are contained in the Exhibit A of the SDL Commercial Agreement and ICA Amendment.

If you request conditioning and the conditioning significantly degrades the voice services on the loop to the point where it is unacceptable to the end-user, charges will be assessed to recondition the loop.
You may request bridge tap and load coil removal by entering a 'Y' in the SCA field of the LSR.

The following applies when loop conditioning is requested on the service request:

Whether or not conditioning is required per the systems:

Upon receipt of an accurate and complete service request, you will receive a Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) based on the standard interval found in the SIG. Separate intervals apply based on whether or not conditioning is required.

The following applies when loop conditioning is not requested on the service request:

If conditioning is not required per the systems (qualification passed):

Upon receipt of an accurate and complete service request, CenturyLink will perform an initial evaluation to determine if the loop will support Commercial SDL. If the initial evaluation reflects that loop conditioning is not required to support Commercial SDL, you will receive a FOC based on the standard interval.

If at any time, after you receive the FOC and prior to the scheduled due date, CenturyLink determines the qualification was a false positive (when loop qualification is successful but Commercial SDL cannot be provisioned on the line without conditioning). CenturyLink will make every attempt to provision the Commercial SDL request, including Line Conditioning, within the original scheduled DD without requiring a supplemental service request. In the event that the conditioning work cannot be completed within the original scheduled DD the CLEC will receive a jeopardy and will be required to submit a Sup with a Y in the SCA field authorizing the standard line conditioning interval.

If conditioning is required per the systems (qualification failed):

If it is determined by the initial CenturyLink evaluation that the loop cannot support Commercial SDL without performing conditioning, and no authorization has been given, the service request will be rejected and you will be required to resubmit the service request authorizing conditioning on the loop.

If qualified facilities are unavailable, the service request will be rejected for a No Facilities reason. Reject notification information is described in the Ordering Overview.

Projects

Quantities equal to or greater than 25 are considered a project. If you relate Purchase Order Numbers (PONs) and associate service requests to a Project Identification Code in the PROJECT field on the LSR, or if the LQTY field on the LS has 25 or more loops, the request will be handled as a project by the Center responsible for handling your account. When you submit a service request requesting Commercial SDL for multiple telephone numbers from the same CSR, the quantity on the LQTY field must be equal to the number of lines to which Commercial SDL is being added. The installation guidelines for the project are negotiated on an Individual Case Basis (ICB) based on the request. The main point of contact for your project will be your CenturyLink Service Manager.

Contacts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Commercial SDL?
Commercial SDL provides a way for you to share the distribution
portion of the copper loop, which CenturyLink uses to provide the end-user's
POTS. You share the distribution loop by using the high frequency
range above the voice band range and use it to offer advanced data
services to the end-user. CenturyLink must provide the voice service (POTS).
What are the advantages of Commercial SDL?

2. What are the advantages of Commercial SDL?
Commercial SDL enables you to provide data service on an end-user's
existing analog voice-grade service that may be served on Digital
Loop Carrier facilities. Commercial SDL also eliminates the need
to purchase a separate loop for data service. Commercial SDL will
enable you to provide data service to customers who do not have
spare facilities at their location or who do not desire to purchase
an additional line.

3. What forms do I need to order Commercial SDL?
You need to submit the LSR, EU and the LS using LSOG
guidelines. Be sure to include all special information required
on the LSR, EU or the LS for Commercial SDL.

4. Can I order Commercial SDL before installing our splitters?
No. All splitter installations at a Remote Collocation or FCP must
be completed before Commercial SDL can be ordered.

5. Who installs and maintains the splitter at the Remote Collocation
or FCP?
You must provide and own the Splitters and DSLAM. You are also responsible
for repair and maintenance of the Splitters and DSLAM.

7. Who is responsible for repair?
CenturyLink is responsible for repairing voice services provided over
Commercial SDL, as well as for the physical line between the network
interface device at the end-user premises and the point of demarcation
in CenturyLink Wire Centers. You are responsible for repairing data services
provided on Commercial SDL. You and CenturyLink are responsible for maintaining
your own equipment.

8. How do I let CenturyLink know of a possible problem on a Commercial
SDL?
Initiate a trouble ticket. For information about reporting trouble,
Maintenance and Repair
Overview.

9. Where are the access points for Commercial SDL?
The access points for Commercial SDL at the established demarcation
point established with your Remote Collocation or FCP.

10. What are the rates for Commercial SDL?
See your Interconnection Agreement for current rates.

11. How do I get additional questions concerning Commercial
SDL answered in the future?
Call your CenturyLink
Service Manager with any questions you have about Commercial
SD L.

Last Update: February 10. 2012

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